STILLWATER — The linemen gave chase, and Oklahoma State quarterback Dru Brown was able to avoid them for a few seconds.

But finally, he relented, leaping into the air, where he was caught by Cowboy left guard Marcus Keyes and swarmed by the rest of his blockers in celebration of his perfectly thrown 43-yard touchdown pass to Dillon Stoner.

It would be the final points the No. 22 Cowboys scored in a 31-13 win over Kansas Saturday at Boone Pickens Stadium, but more importantly, a perfect reward for Brown’s dedication to his team the last 16 months.

“If you just look at our guys and the way they respond when Dru throws a touchdown pass, they'll tell you a lot about how they feel about him,” OSU offensive coordinator Sean Gleeson said. “There’s a kid that just puts his hard hat on and goes to work every day.”

OSU starter Spencer Sanders injured the thumb on his throwing hand in the second quarter, then banged it on a Kansas defender’s helmet in the third. That ended his day for precautionary reasons. Neither he nor coach Mike Gundy believe the injury will impact his availability next week at West Virginia.

But Brown, the fifth-year senior transfer from Hawaii, showed that he can step in for Sanders when called upon, and perhaps proved to himself that all the work he’s done since arriving in Stillwater just before fall camp last year has been meaningful.

He didn’t get a chance to play last season, with Taylor Cornelius taking control of the starting job before Brown was on campus. And this season, Sanders was named the starter in the week leading up to the season opener.

But Brown — who walked away from a starting job at Hawaii — never lost motivation, despite the mental and emotional challenges that a competitive player like him will endure as the backup quarterback.

“I think it’s just perspective,” he said. “That’s what I’ve tried to harp on. I just want to keep perspective. There’s other people out there that have it much worse than me. I still am blessed to be able to show up and practice and study film and go into meetings with great coaches.

“Prepare to play, and if I get to, then I get to, but if I don’t, then I’m there supporting them.”

Sanders was effective, even battling the injured thumb, completing 12 of 18 passes for 168 yards. Brown finished 3-of-5 for 70 yards. They each hit Stoner for a deep touchdown, helping the redshirt junior to a career-high 150 yards.

If Saturday proved anything, it’s that Brown’s teammates love him, even if his playing time is sparse.

“You know, things didn’t go his way,” Stoner said. “But you’d never know that. He’s been such a positive influence for myself and a bunch of other guys on the team, and how supportive he’s been of Spencer.

“That’s just a true testament to his character and what kind of what kind of guy he is.”

After catching the touchdown pass, Stoner jogged into the stadium tunnel, so he was the last one to get back across the field to celebrate with Brown. And Stoner was charging fast.

“Yeah, he was coming in hot,” Brown said with a laugh. “I didn’t quite match his momentum.”

Brown might never play another snap at OSU as meaningful as his touchdown pass to Stoner on Saturday afternoon. Long after his career is over, the touchdown might be the story he tells, but not the reason it will matter to him.

“I don’t know if anyone will remember a touchdown or whatever,” Brown said. “But I think everyone will remember that feeling, seeing that or doing that. And it’s just really exciting to have a group of guys that are this tight-knit be happy for you.

“There’s a lot of stuff, a lot of time that goes into this. Those memories and those feelings we'll never forget.”

Oklahoma State's Dillon Stoner (17) celebrates his touchdown pass with Oklahoma State's Dru Brown (6) in the fourth quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman] Oklahoma State's Spencer Sanders (3) stands on the sidelines in the fourth quarter Saturday with his right thumb in a brace. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman] Oklahoma State's Kolby Harvell-Peel (31) celebrates with fans following the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma State's Spencer Sanders (3) warms up before the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Kansas head football coach Les Miles and Oklahoma State University head football coach Mike Gundy talk before the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Kansas head football coach Les Miles and Oklahoma State University head football coach Mike Gundy talk before the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Kansas head football coach Les Miles and Oklahoma State University head football coach Mike Gundy talk before the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]The OSU uniform is pictured before the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]The OSU uniform is pictured before the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard (30) reacts after a touchdown in the first quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]The OSU uniform is pictured before the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Kansas head coach Les Miles greets Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy following the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Kansas head coach Les Miles greets Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy following the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Kansas head coach Les Miles greets Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy following the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy celebrates the Cowboys win following the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Walker Reed (57) celebrates with fans following the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy waves to faves following the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy waves to faves following the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Dru Brown (6) walks off with Sione Asi (99) following the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Spencer Sanders (3) stands on the sidelines in the fourth quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Spencer Sanders (3) reacts after a play in the first quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard (30) scores a touchdown in the first quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State celebrates following the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard (30) scores a touchdown in the first quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Spencer Sanders (3) looks to throw a pass in the second quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Kansas head coach Les Miles greets Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy following the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Dillon Stoner (17) celebrates his touchdown with Landon Wolf (1) in the second quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy argues for a call in the first quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Dillon Stoner (17) catches a ball for a touchdown as Kansas's Ricky Thomas (24) defends during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Spencer Sanders (3) leaps as Kansas's Kyle Mayberry (8) and Gavin Potter (19) defend in the first quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Spencer Sanders (3) leaps as Kansas's Kyle Mayberry (8) and Gavin Potter (19) defend in the first quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard (30) rushes in the third quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Dillon Stoner (17) makes a touchdown makes a touchdown catch in the third quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Kolby Harvell-Peel (31) makes an interception as Kansas's Andrew Parchment (4) defends in the third quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's LD Brown (7) rushes in the third quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's LD Brown (7) gets by Kansas's Bryce Torneden (1) in the third quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's LD Brown (7) rushes in the third quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Tre Sterling (3) sacks Kansas's Manny Miles (14) in the third quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Jarrick Bernard (24) celebrates a play in the third quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Jarrick Bernard (24) celebrates a play in the third quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy talks with Oklahoma State's Jarrick Bernard (24) during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Dillon Stoner (17) celebrates his touchdown pass with Oklahoma State's Dru Brown (6) in the fourth quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Jets from Vance Air Force base fly ove rthe stadium before the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Jets from Vance Air Force base fly ove rthe stadium before the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Jets from Vance Air Force base fly ove rthe stadium before the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]A cowgirl waits to take Bullet on to the field before the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Fans catch a punt during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State players wait to run onto the field before the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Dillon Stoner (17) catches a touchdown pass in the second quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Kolby Harvell-Peel (31) celebrates an interception next to Kansas's Kwamie Lassiter II (8) in the second quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Kolby Harvell-Peel (31) runs after an interception as Kansas's Kwamie Lassiter II (8) defends in the second quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State ROTC members wait to walk onto the field during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]A member of the military stands under a large American flag during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. OSU won 31-13. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]

Scott Wright

A lifelong resident of the Oklahoma City metro area, Scott Wright has been on The Oklahoman staff since 2005, covering a little bit of everything on the state's sports scene. He has been a beat writer for football and basketball at Oklahoma and...
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